My Nonprofit Reviews

I was excited to be asked to join the Board of Children of Vietnam. I had known of the organization and it had a good reputation and when I asked around for updated opinions before accepting the appointment the feedback was outstanding.

The organization fills a critical gap in Central Vietnam, connecting youth and families in need with the support they need to succeed. Having lived in Vietnam for several years and seen many non-profits operating there I can truly say that what Children of Vietnam does is unique and an investment with the organization can be trusted to support critical impactful programs.

Until recently and for several years I had been sponsoring two girls, one in Vietnam and one in Egypt and was enjoying it.

Apparently though I violated Save the Children’s letter writing policies. I think it’s because I mentioned to the girl in Egypt who’s in high school that I had started an effort to connect teens from around the world but I’m not really sure.

I received communication from Save the Children informing me my sponsorships were canceled and when I tried to follow up a few times could never get clarity.

I am very disappointed in how this was handled. I wish the organization had informed me of the exact violation with an explanation and some warning. I would have been very happy to rewrite a letter and take out anything that was in violation of a policy I couldn’t easily find on the website.

I also asked what happens to the children I was sponsoring and also never got a reply.

The whole experience has been distressing to me because I want to do the right thing and feel the approach by Save the Children is punitive to both the sponsors and the children, to sever it rather than issue a warning, and to not just tear up the offensive letter and allow the sponsor another opportunity.